RELEASE: Saint Catherine’s Monastery releases certified replicas of world’s most famous icons

Zeeland, Michigan and Saint Catherine, Egypt – August 20, 2024

With the blessing of Archbishop Damianos of Sinai, this groundbreaking announcement represents the first time in Saint Catherine’s 1,500-year history that replicas of works from the Monastery’s Byzantine icon collection will be offered to the world in actual size and accurate color.

This project is the culmination of three years of collaboration between the Monastery, the Friends of Mount Sinai Monastery, and Legacy Icons. “This partnership represents a significant milestone in our ongoing mission to support Saint Catherine’s Monastery and its invaluable contributions to Christian spirituality and global civilization,” said Dr. Peter Chang, President of the Friends of Mount Sinai Monastery.

Created from high resolution scans of the Monastery’s most celebrated works, this initial offering includes icon replicas of the renowned Christ Pantocrator (6th century), Moses and the Burning Bush (c. 13th century) and Saint Catherine with Scenes of her Life (16th century). “The clarity and tonality of the digital files made from (Monastery librarian) Fr. Justin's master files are astounding. To be able to look into the depths of the cracks and paint strokes with this clarity is breathtaking and we look forward to shipping these for all to appreciate,” stated Legacy Icons founder David DeJonge.

Each icon replica will be meticulously crafted using advanced printing techniques to ensure the highest authenticity of color and resolution. Collectors can select full size replicas, exquisitely mounted icons with prints on Hahnemuhle Photo Rag paper, assembled with hide glue on solid hardwoods. At the Monastery’s request, Legacy Icons will also offer smaller copies at a more accessible price point, printed on archival canvas and mounted on wood with a veneer back. Each icon will be crafted to order and delivery times will be shown on the website.

Saint Catherine’s Monastery

Built between AD 548 and 565 by orders of Byzantine emperor Saint Justinian I, Saint Catherine’s is the world’s oldest continuously-operating monastery and a UNESCO world heritage site. The great many artifacts preserved into the modern age by Saint Catherine’s Monastery include the Christ Pantocrator, thought to be the oldest panel icon of Christ in existence, and the 4th century Codex Sinaiticus, the world’s oldest complete manuscript of the Bible.

Friends of Mount Sinai Monastery

FMSM is a 501(c)(3) charity dedicated to supporting the work of Saint Catherine's Monastery in Sinai, Egypt. Contributions to FMSM fund the daily operations, projects, and continued existence of the Monastery, whose singular example serves as an inspiration to those of all faith backgrounds.

Legacy Icons

Legacy Icons was launched in 2012 with the objective of producing museum-quality replicas of Orthodox Christian icons. It has over 54,000 customers and produces tens of thousands of icons shipped globally.

Learn more at sinai.legacyicons.com.